Voices of Pretrial Detention in Texas

Jailhouse Stories is a program of the Texas Jail Project, a nonprofit that works to improve the conditions for approximately 65,000 people incarcerated in Texas county jails. The collection of Jailhouse Stories, which began in March 2014, has been made possible by a generous grant from Public Welfare Foundation.

Diana ClaitorExecutive Director & Interviewer

Since co-founding the Texas Jail Project, Diana has learned about jail conditions by listening to Texans seeking help for loved ones in county jails—and then written and spoken out about the injustices experienced in those jails. Her work interviewing people for Jailhouse Stories deepened her understanding of the multiple effects and long-lasting damage that even short-term incarceration wreaks on our community.

"All of us must work to find ways to transform jails from places of chaos and injury to places where people can learn and find solutions to their problems."

Abe Louise YoungLead Consultant & Strategist, Interviewer

Abe Louise helps guide nonprofit initiatives that use storytelling as a strategy for social change. She was honored to work with the Texas Jail Project to edit, shape and curate this collection of brave voices.

"Lack of liberty and separation from home and family are punishment enough. Jails should be places where people have access to education, safety, health care, counseling – supports they may have been denied early on by virtue of poverty and inequality."

Emily LingProgram Manager & Interviewer

In managing the collection and organization of stories, Emily analyzed the breadth of pretrial detention issues in Texas and coordinated outreach to inmates and families.

“To create more just and wise responses to social trauma, we must intently listen to the experiences of those whose liberty is so quickly taken away."

Rebecca LarsenCommunications Coordinator & Interviewer

Rebecca supported this project by working with families, advocating for their loved ones, and listening to their stories.

“Local jails are driving mass incarceration yet have the least amount of oversight and standards. Listening and valuing lived experiences challenges bureaucratic and political excuses to do nothing about it.”